MINIX Z100 (256GB) Fanless Mini PC, Intel 12th Gen N100, 8GB
MINIX Z100 (256GB) Fanless Mini PC, Intel 12th Gen N100, 8GB DDR4, 258GB M.2 PCIe 3.0 x 4 NVMe SSD Windows 11 Pro Desktop Computer, 4K Dual Display/2.5G LAN/USB3.2/USB-C/WiFi 6/BT5.2/Vesa Mou
Experience stunning 4K@60Hz resolution on dual screens using Z100-0dB’s dual HDMI 2.1 ports. Enjoy immersive visuals, smooth video playback, and enhanced productivity for creative and multimedia tasks.
*VESA Mount Included
Intel N100 CPU
Fanless Mini PC, Low power usage, Affordability
For web browsing and office applications make it a practical choice for quiet and compact computing
PCIe 3.0 x4 SSD NVMe SSD
Minimal Latency, Effortless Multitasking
From swift boot-ups to rapid data transfers, perfect for intensive tasks.
RTL8125BG-CG 2.5G Lan
High-speed Networking Capabilities
Faster data transfer speeds, reduced bottlenecks, NAS files transfer and streaming experiences
Fanless Mini PC
RAM with Heatsink Cooling
Ensures optimal thermal dissipation, preserving memory performance and reliability.
| Weight: | 889 g |
| Dimensions: | 12.29 x 11.99 x 4.6 cm; 889.04 Grams |
| Brand: | MINIX |
| Model: | NEO Z100-0dB (256GB) |
| Colour: | Black |
| Batteries Included: | Yes |
| Manufacture: | MINIX Technology Limited |
| Dimensions: | 12.29 x 11.99 x 4.6 cm; 889.04 Grams |
Che scoperta!
L’ho comprata per usarla come server plex per una ragione ben precisa, consuma SOLAMENTE 6W ed in riproduzione 4k siamo a 9w…. in uso windows arrivi al max 14w di consumo…. ma velocit ottima mai un rallentamento.
Lo tengo in un posto inaccessibile perch scotta moltissimo se lo tocchi con le mani.
Ottimo acquisto
J’ai profit d’une promo pour l’achet (239 eur). Achet pour installer PROXMOX la base, j’ai effectu un test de charge avant afin de vrifier la stabilit du mini PC. Celle-ci est OK mais le pc devient vraiment brulant: d’ailleurs une tiquette est appose sur le mini pc afin de prvenir de cet inconfort d’o l’toile en moins.
En idle le pc fait 37 ce qui est acceptable.
Le BIOS est vraiment sommaire compar au CWWK N100. Il est lgrement plus volumineux que le CWWK.
Ma conclusion est que les systmes bas e de N100 sont super pour Proxmox mais dgage trop de chaleur mon gout.
Excellent build quality. Good performance but can get hot.
There are many N100 mini PCs to choose from. This unit is very well built and is all metal. I use this pc remotely so the external antennas were a big plus in the design. I use it for astrophotography and it handles this very well. It is quite heavy so not every one will want it fitted to the OTA.
Note, it needs plenty of ventilation if you plan to run intensive tasks for a long time on hot days/nights.
MINIX Z100 Fanless Mini PC, Intel 12th Gen N100
I bought this Minix fan less mini PC so I could use it as a network music player.
It works very well for it’s intended purpose. It does get a little hot because the metal case works as a heat sink.
It has many uses as an everyday PC, but it’s not a gaming PC. It has a solid built quality and is very attractive looking.
I bought it during Amazon Prime members sale, so it was a good buy.
bargain mini PC. silent too
eal bargain. well impressed.
needed a new media pc for our living room TV. had to be silent and capable of 4k Netflix etc.
replaced ssd before i powered it up, so to have clean and trusted win11. did clean install and all OK, no problems and licence installed automatically (in bios as someone else mentioned.)
gets warm, as expected as fanless,, but not at all hot (but prob not maxed it out))
really solid build and well engineered.
all connectivity seems fine so far.
Leiser Mini-PC
Funktioniert groartig, ist durch passive Khlung lautlos und strt nicht. Das Gehuse wird ziemlich warm, das ist aber zu erwarten. Performance ist natrlich nicht so gut wie bei anderen PCs, dieser hier verbraucht jedoch sehr wenig Strom, ist dadurch zum Dauerbetrieb sehr gut geeignet.
A nice, compact, efficient compute
If you need something for productivity (Wood processer, excel, power point) or watching streaming media, this will work great for you.
The quad-core processor is sufficient for most regular tasks. However, you will not be gaming or doing any measure of video rendering on this machine.
With two HDMI ports, you can easily connect two monitors. While, on paper, both of these could be 4k, the system is not powerful enough to dive the monitors without a significant amount of input lag. Stick to 1080p.
Bottom line: If you need an absolutely silent, productivity machine, this will not fail you. If you’re looking to game or do some more intensive tasks, look elsewhere.
Great little PC and genuinely silent. Great for day to day office work. Performance is fine for web use too. But essential Windows updates simply would not install. Error after error. Followed advice in the Minix forum. Spent hours and hours trying to solves the update issue, all to no avail. Forum admin recommended downloading an earlier Windows 11 image for the Minix Z100-0dB. Followed advice and successfully installed, and updated. I enjoy a challenge but wouldn’t expect a nin techy person to be willing to try all this. Anyway, finally happy with it.
Slows down with Heavy use and gets VERY HOT!!
I needed a new PC for my wife to replace her old one that will not run Windows 11. This seemed to be something that would work but I have noticed that it will slow down and lag with the mouse not moving at all for extended periods of time when it’s under heavy load.
I am fine with this because my wife use will be light weight and nothing like me loading updates and several Programs at the same time.
I will most likely replace the 8Gig of ram with a 32gig stick soon as I believe that might be part of the issues with slowness.
The base speed of the Processor is 0.8Ghz and it is frequently about 1.5-2.5Ghz which is a huge overclock.
I am going to max out the ram with the fastest ram this will take and I hope to get some better performance.
I like all the options to add peripherals and a micro-SD card as well.
I will not be using the Wi-Fi on this device and will take off the massive antennas… HAHA for such a small PC the Wifi antennas are out of pocket.
I would possibly get another one of these but understand it is going to suffer once it gets hot with passive cooling only. But if your environment or use needs this I think it is a decent small form factor PC.
I am very impressed with this mini PC. I connected my Bluetooth mouse, keyboard, headphones and speakers and it all works great. The wireless networking connection is much faster than my old computer. Watching videos on youtube works also great. This little PC does all that I am doing on computer which is watching videos, reading articles and email. The mini PC is better than I expected and I would buy it again. As a bonus there is no fan noise. My second computer from Minix. The heatsink gets fairly hot though but the system runs stable.
Un gioellino!
Pc dalla prestazioni eccellenti e quasi incredibili se paragonate alle sue dimensioni!
Arriva gi perfettamente configurato e con preinstallato Windows 11, basta collegare un monitor ed gi operativo. Eccellente la dotazione di base, tra l’altro implementabile qualora si volesse aumentarne le prestazioni, monta di base 8gb di Ram (aumentabili fino a 32) e 512Gb SSD che consentono di utilizzarlo per la quasi totalit degli impieghi comuni e da ufficio (ci gira perfettamente anche qualche gioco come Minecraft). La reattivit eccellente anche senza intervenire sui parametri da Bios o overclockare la cpu.
Eccellente la resa grafica anche con due monitor installati, dispone di scheda rete wireless e connessione Bluetooth integrata. Sulla scocca esterna troviamo tutti gli ingressi usb, 2 v3.2 ottimi per collegare periferiche di archiviazione e trasferimento dati e 2 v2 per gli accessori (anche se conviene collegare uno split per aumentare il numero di porte utili), lettore schede micro SD, uscita audio e una presa dati USBC.
Impressionante la silenziosit, non avendo ventole di raffreddamento si fa fatica a capire se accesso o meno se non si controlla la spia frontale. Tutta la superficie superiore praticamente un unico dispersore termico che durante l’utilizzo intenso tende a riscalrsi fino a circa 45-50 gradi quindi consiglio comunque di posizionarlo in un luogo idoneo con un buon ricambio di aria e non a contatto con altri oggetti.
Nel complesso io sono estremamente soddisfatto e lo ricomprerei al 100%, un dispositivo versatilissimo, praticamente lo si pu portare in tasca dovunque, funziona alla grande e ha un costo che per quando mi riguarda vale fino all’ultimo centesimo!
Consigliatissimo!
Praktisch als Homeserve
Fr einen kleinen Homeserver gibt es vermutlich kaum bessere optionen.
Obwohl der PC mini ist ist die leistung sehr zufriedenstellend! Windows lsst sich komplett flssig benutzen und alle Anwendungen die ich darauf getestet habe liefen problemlos.
Richtig glnzen tut der PC aber mit dem Stromverbrauch. Dieser ist wirklich SEHR gering, was vorallem bei den aktuell hohen Strompreisen super ist. Ich hab mehrere Docker auf dem PC laufen lassen und trotz 24/7 betrieb zieht der PC wirklich nicht viel Strom!
Alles in allem bin ich also echt zufrieden! DIe Leistung stimmt genau und fr das was man bekommt ist der Preis auch fair.
Quiet, Tiny, Lots of Computing Power in Small Package
This small little computer will be used to run my Christmas light show (I use Xlights and Light-O-Rama). I tried sequencing on it and running the show and I was actually surprised at how powerful it was for the job. It’s a little slower on the complex graphical stuff you do when sequencing, but it worked. It would run regular office apps and web browsing with ease. You’re probably not going to much gaming or intense graphic design (especially 3d apps like Blender, I imagine it would be really slow with Photoshop too), but it’s a nice compact, inexpensive PC for day to day stuff.
Best of all, it’s tiny enough to hide so no one notices that it’s running my light show.
As an avid tech enthusiast constantly on the lookout for cutting-edge solutions, I stumbled upon the MINIX Z100-0dB Fanless Mini PC, and it has truly exceeded my expectations. From its sleek design to its whisper-quiet operation, this mini PC has become an indispensable part of my cluster setup (k3s).
First and foremost, the fanless design deserves special mention. Gone are the days of noisy distractions during intense work sessions or movie nights. The MINIX Z100-0dB operates in near-complete silence, allowing me to focus entirely on my tasks or immerse myself fully in entertainment without any disruptions.
Performance-wise, this mini PC is an absolute beast. Powered by the Intel Alder Lake-N Quad-Core N100 processor and bolstered by 16GB of DDR4 RAM, it effortlessly handles everything I throw at it, from resource-intensive software applications to demanding multimedia tasks. Multitasking is a breeze, and I’ve experienced zero lag or slowdowns, even when running multiple programs simultaneously.
Connectivity options abound with the MINIX Z100-0dB. Whether it’s the array of USB 3.1 ports for seamless peripheral connectivity, the HDMI outputs for crystal-clear display output supporting Dual 4K@60Hz resolution, or the blazing-fast Wi-Fi 6 and BT5.2 support for lightning-quick internet speeds and enhanced Bluetooth connectivity, this mini PC leaves nothing to be desired. Additionally, the inclusion of Bluetooth 5.0 further enhances its versatility, enabling hassle-free pairing with a variety of wireless devices.
Setup was a breeze, thanks to the intuitive user interface and straightforward instructions provided. Within minutes, I was up and running, ready to explore the full potential of this powerhouse of a mini PC.
In conclusion, the MINIX Z100-0dB Fanless Mini PC is a game-changer in every sense of the word. Whether you’re a professional seeking a productivity boost or a home user looking for a seamless entertainment experience, this mini PC delivers on all fronts. With its silent operation, impressive performance, and versatile connectivity options, it has earned its rightful place as a cornerstone of my setup. Highly recommended to anyone in search of a compact yet powerful computing solution.
Initial tested with the Windows 11 (included) but now part of my kubernetes k3s cluster, running smooth multiple deployments for my daily usage.
Leistungsstarkes und geräuschloses Fanless Mini-PC mit Intel Alder Lake-N Prozesso
Ich habe den Z100-0dB Fanless Mini-PC mit dem Intel Alder Lake-N Quad-Core N100 Prozessor getestet und bin beeindruckt von den Ergebnissen. Hier sind meine Eindrcke:
Positives:
Effizienter Prozessor: Der Intel Alder Lake-N Quad-Core N100 Prozessor ermglicht effizientes Arbeiten, insbesondere in lfterlosen Mini-PCs. Die Handhabung grundlegender Aufgaben wird dank der Intel UHD Graphics reibungslos bewltigt.
Lfterloses passives Khlungsdesign: Die Z100-0dB Fanless Mini-PCs zeichnen sich durch ein lfterloses passives Khlungsdesign aus. Dies ist besonders vorteilhaft in Umgebungen, in denen Lrmreduzierung, Zuverlssigkeit, geringer Wartungsaufwand, staubfreier Betrieb, vibrationsfreie Nutzung, Energieeffizienz und ein kompaktes Formfaktor Prioritt haben.
Effiziente RAM-Khlung: Die exklusive Funktion der effizienten RAM-Khlung verbessert die Wrmeableitung und sichert die Leistung und Zuverlssigkeit des Arbeitsspeichers. Dies stellt sicher, dass das System optimal funktioniert, ohne dabei das Design oder die Stille zu beeintrchtigen.
Kein Throttling: Der Z100-0dB Fanless Mini-PC mit Intel N100 CPU zeichnet sich durch die Erhaltung der vollen CPU-Leistung ohne Heruntertakten aus, um die Hitze zu reduzieren. Dieser einzigartige Ansatz vermeidet Throttling-Probleme und gewhrleistet eine nachhaltige Leistung, optimale Energieeffizienz und Zuverlssigkeit, was ihn von Lsungen der Konkurrenz unterscheidet, die auf thermisches Management durch Heruntertakten setzen.
Antistatisches Design: Im Vergleich zu vielen Wettbewerbern bietet der Z100-0dB mit robustem Anti-Statik-Hardware-Schutz einen klaren Vorteil durch die Priorisierung von Komponentenlanglebigkeit und -stabilitt. Dieser Schutzmechanismus minimiert das Risiko von Schden durch elektrostatische Entladung und gewhrleistet eine berlegene Zuverlssigkeit, eine verlngerte Lebensdauer und eine anhaltende Leistung, was ihn auf dem Markt herausstellt.
Fazit:
Der Z100-0dB Fanless Mini-PC bietet eine beeindruckende Kombination aus Leistung, geruschlosem Design und fortschrittlichen Funktionen. Ideal fr den Einsatz in verschiedenen Umgebungen, von Heimunterhaltung ber Broeinstellungen bis hin zu industriellen Anwendungen. Dieser Mini-PC setzt neue Mastbe in Sachen Effizienz und Zuverlssigkeit.
There are few reviews on the Minix Z100-0db yet so I thought I would write one. Short answer: I recommend it to anyone who wants something absolutely silent and with fast I/O.
In the BIOS, the only change I made was to set the clock and enable C-States. Everything else I left default.
The Z100 comes with Windows 11 Pro preinstalled. I installed HWiNFO64 and set an alert if the temperature reaches 60 degrees. It was rare that it went over 60 degrees though, it usually idled around bit less than 40 degrees. Running a web browser, it was usually in the 50s but would occasionally spike higher. Running a full virus scan would have the system go over 60 degrees but it never reached into the 70s. – You will have to excuse my simple tests as I know very little about Windows. I did not buy the Z100 to run Windows but I understand many people might.
Eventually, I removed the 250GB SSD and installed a Crucial P5 Plus 2TB SSD. I read that the Windows license is in the BIOS, I tested that and found it was true. I installed Windows 11 Pro from the official Microsoft site onto the new 2TB SSD. Windows found every driver except for one (I assume a trivial one called ACPI NTC1057). It did not hamper the system in any way. The license showed as valid and active with the new install.
Side note: From what I researched, the preinstalled Windows 11 Pro is perfectly fine. Minix has a good reputation. It was just a test to see what was possible before I deleted Windows and installed linux.
As for performance, with Bitlocker off, the stock 250GB SSD was around 2,000 Read and 1,600 Write. With Bitlocker on, the Crucial P5Plus Crystal score came in around 3,200 Read and 3,300 Write.
I used a heavy encryption program and created, read and wrote numerous 100GB data blocks without a single issue.
I transferred a lot of information across the 2.5Gbe network without Windows complaining. Sound and video were fine. The USB 3.2 ports are definitely 10GB and did not have any issues at high speed.
The outer case did get hot at times but it is the CPU temperature which matters. The case was certainly doing its job acting as a large heat sink to draw heat off the cpu and motherboard.
Powerful for its size, Windows 11 Pro built-in and easy to setup
The MINIX mini PC arrived in great condition and includes the Wi-Fi antennas, power adapter and HDMI cable. You’ll just need to add a mouse, keyboard and monitor to get started.
After the usual Windows 11 installation questions (includes PRO, not Home – a really great benefit!) I was ready to start using it in about 20 minutes. There were several updates to install that were pretty quick over the built-in Wi-Fi adapter. The unit is silent! There are no fans – the case is the heatsink, so it can run warm at times. It’s also a little heavier as the case is metal.
Overall this is a fantastic mini PC that is priced right for the processor and included storage/memory. 5 stars!
I bought this little PC to use for everyday use: YouTube, email, and browsing. It works well for these tasks.
It will not replace my larger PC, but can be used in it’s place 95% of the time.
This little guy does get hot. Even though it’s billed as “fanless”, I purchased an AC Infinity MULTIFAN S3 USB muffin fan (from Amazon) to sit on top and keep it cooler. The fan is almost silent too. (You have to put your ear right up to it. But, then again, I might be partially deaf.)
I booted Linux Mint off a USB, I did not have HDMI audio but the wifi did work and I had audio out of the headphone jack.. It might just be a driver issue. I was just messing around and might check it out in the future. (When I get mad at Windows, I will probably convert it to LM.) Update: I did try Linux Mint and was not really happy with the performance. I’m sure it will get better in the future. I went back to Windows. This crazy little computer cracks me up at how well it works with the N100 chip.
(The picture shows the fan.)
If you’re looking for a small/compact PC and don’t need something then can handle games or do tasks photo/video editing, then this is certainly a PC to consider.
For your typical every day tasks (emails, internet browsing & office software) or for watching online videos and playing multimedia, this is absolutely perfect.
The compact form factor is the main highlight for this PC and it makes it super portable; one moment I can have this hooked to my PC monitor and with ease I can bring this downstairs and hook it up to my TV or someone could connect it to a projector; alternatively I could take the to with as it can easily fit in my backpack. In addition, If you really want to go for space saving, it can mount to the back of most monitors as long as it has VESA mount.
This PC package comes with all the basics to get it connected to a monitor (HDMI cable and power supply), so if you haven’t got them already, you will need to get a mouse and keyboard to use it.
Bare in mind it only has 2x USB & 1x USB-C slots, this is about the same you would get on a laptop rather than a typical desktop, so if you need more a simple USB extension hub will do the job.
All in all though, it’s a decent PC for those who don’t want a big setup whilst having access to basic computer use.
Der Minix Z100 ist ein kompakter und komplett lfterloser Mini-PC mit einem modernen Design. Das Gehuse ist aus Metall gefertigt und auf der oberen Seite des PCs befindet sich integriert der Khlblock des Prozessors. Im Gegensatz zu anderen lfterlosen PCs ist die Leistung des Prozessors nicht gedrosselt Die Anschlsse an den Seiten sind leicht erreichbar und die Verarbeitungsqualitt ist tadellos. Der PC kann auf der Rckseite eines Monitors montiert werden.
Der PC ist mit einem Intel N100 Prozessor mit integrierter Intel UHD Grafik ausgestattet. Mit den beiden HDMI 2.1 Anschlssen ist es mglich bis zu zwei 4k Monitore anzuschlieen oder diese als Digital Audio Ausgang zu verwenden. Verbaut sind 16GB DDR4 RAM und eine schnelle 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD fr das Betriebssystem. Der Arbeitsspeicher lsst sich bis 32GB erweitern und eine grere SSD bis 4TB kann ebenfalls eingebaut werden. An den Seiten findet man Netzschalter, Reset Taste, Netzteilanschluss, LAN, 1x USB Type C, 2x USB 3.2, 2x USB 2.0, 2x HDMI und ein Mikrofon Ein- bzw. Kopfhrer-Ausgang und einen SD Karten Slot. Der Mini PC verfgt zudem ber Bluetooth 5.2 und 802.11ax Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 mit 2 Antennen.
Als Betriebssystem ist Windows 11 Pro 64-Bit vorinstalliert und nach der Ersteinrichtung des PCs aktiviert. Nur die Sprache muss im Installationssetup noch auf Deutsch umgestellt werden, die Installation selbst ist einfach. Das gut strukturierte BIOS bietet eine Vielzahl von individuellen Einstellmglichkeiten um den PC optimal anzupassen. Technische Untersttzung oder ein komplettes WIN 11 Image findet man auch im MiniX Forum auf der Hersteller Webseite.
Beim Einsatz als Office-Rechner und auch zur Bildbearbeitung stimmt die erwartete Leistung. Die verbaute Hardware erlaubt ein flssiges Arbeitstempo mit schnellen Ladezeiten in Internet Browser. Auch fr ein gelegentliches Spiel ist dieser Mini PC geeignet. Gern verwenden wir den lfterlosen PC als Mediaplayer an einem Beamer. Streams, IPTV und Videodateien werden ruckelfrei wiedergegeben.
Mein Fazit: Der Minix Z100 ist eine leistungsfhige Alternative zu einem Office Desktop PC oder Laptop. Da er keinerlei Gerusche verursacht ist der Mini PC perfekt im Homeoffice einsetzbar.
Awesome little fanless PC
I recently ordered the MINIX Z100-0dB Fanless Mini PC which is currently priced at 259.90. I was intrigued by its compact form factor and silent operation. This mini PC has become an integral part of my tech arsenal, especially for those occasions when I need a Windows-based system.
The Z100-0dB boasts an Intel 12th Gen N100 processor, 16GB DDR4 RAM, and a 512GB M.2 NVMe SSD, housed in a small, fanless design. One of the standout aspects is it’s silent, thanks to the fanless design. However, this comes with a trade-off – the unit gets quite hot, as the case doubles as a heatsink. This isn’t a problem with adequate ventilation, but it’s something to be mindful of when finding a spot for it.
Performance-wise, it handles everyday tasks with ease. It’s not cut out for gaming, but for general use, it’s more than capable. The I ran some Geekbench benchmarks and these reflect this, with a CPU score of 1043 (single-core) and 2995 (multi-core), which are decent considering its size and silent operation. The integrated GPU scores a modest 3181, indicating that it’s not designed for graphics-intensive tasks.
Pros:
Compact and silent, perfect for unobtrusive use.
Decent performance for everyday tasks.
Versatile, with a range of connectivity options including 4K dual display.
Fanless design ensures a noise-free experience.
Comes with Window 11 Pro
Cons:
Can get quite hot; needs good ventilation.
Limited GPU capability
Slightly high price point, though justified by the specs and form factor.
Overall, the MINIX Z100-0dB Fanless Mini PC is a solid choice for those seeking a small, silent, and capable Windows PC. It’s particularly suited for tasks like web browsing, office applications, and media consumption. While the price might be on the higher side, the form factor and performance make it a worthy investment for specific use cases.
Before unboxing this minix PC, I was impressed with its specs, especially considering the price of 259 (at the time of review). It’s a solid and well-built PC with a plethora of ports and the latest technology.It is diminutive in size but weighty, solid and well built.
The minix PC arrived in a sturdy and well protected box. Setting up this minix PC with my 32″ 4k monitor and using a wired Ethernet connection was straightforward and quick, thanks to Windows 11 Pro. In use, internet browsing felt snappy, and it handled various Windows tasks, like launching programs, with ease.
During the setup, I noticed that there were several Windows updates available, along with various component updates. The Windows updates took a while, as there were multiple components that needed updating.
I tested the various ports, including USB, micro SD card slot, and HDMI connections, and they all worked flawlessly as expected. Just a heads up, there’s a label on top of the unit warning about heat, so avoid touching it while in use. It does get quite hot on the top and sides, but that’s normal and documented. The bottom of the unit, however, remained cool.
Overall, I believe this mini PC is excellent for web browsing, email, and more. It offers plenty of ports and potential for upgrades, and not forgetting the included VESA mount with screws, for mounting on a monitor or TV, making it exceptional value for 259 (at the time of review).
I highly recommend it.
This mini PC arrived well packaged in a very sturdy, branded cardboard box which is shrink wrapped. Inside, the PC is held in dense, moulded foam to protect it in transit.
The box contains:
* The PC.
* Metal VESA mounting plate.
* 12V 3A PSU (with UK, USA and Euro adaptors).
* 2 WiFi antennas.
* HDMI cable.
* Mounting screws (for VESA plate).
* User guide.
The complete technical specifications of this machine are given in the product description so I won’t go into them here.
This machine really is tiny! I’ve attached pictures of it in my hand and next to a 330ml drinks can for scale.
Setup is straightforward. You attach a keyboard and mouse to the machine (wireless in my case), plug the HDMI cable into a monitor or TV then plug the power supply into the machine.
When you press the power button you get the usual Windows 11 setup procedure that only takes a couple of minutes. This does require a Microsoft account and you can use an existing one or set up a new one. I wanted to set up the machine with a simple local account (no Microsoft account) and this is possible but requires a couple of extra steps (instructions on how to do this can be found on the web).
Once you’ve set the machine up it boots remarkably quickly. I’ve been running several different things on it to test its capabilities and it has been flawless so far. The top of the case is a solid aluminium heatsink and even when running processor intensive programmes this only gets warm rather than hot.
I’m using this as a home theatre machine and the fact that it’s completely silent makes it perfect for this. I currently have it standing next to the TV but I will probably end up mounting it on the back using the TV’s VESA mount to keep things tidy.
Both the memory and SSD can be upgraded if required and if you need more storage space there’s a built in Micro SD card slot.
This machine doesn’t come from some anonymous company that doesn’t provide any support. On the contrary, the Minix website provides full product information and support and there’s even a link to a user’s community forum.
This machine probably isn’t up to hard core gaming but as a normal home or office PC it’s very capable indeed. It’s very small, fast and completely silent and so far has performed flawlessly and at 259.90 I think it’s reasonably priced so it gets 5 stars.